De Meo: 'Never been in touch with Ferrari'

Renault chief Luca de Meo is proud of all the Italian in Formula 1, but says he has never been in contact with Ferrari. The Italian does admire the Scuderia, but it is just a competitor for now. After all, Alpine needs to finish on P4.

De Meo dreams of P4 for Alpine

Finishing in P4 means Alpine will have to compete against the other fastest four teams, Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes and Ferrari. Beating Red Bull is impossible for the team and to take on Mercedes and Aston Martin also seems difficult at the moment, but given Ferrari's current form, that would be the spot Alpine would have to occupy if it wants to make De Meo's dreams come true.

Indeed, De Meo said on Italian TV at RAI: "At Alpine, we have a long-term vision. We are aware that racing at a high level and fighting with Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes requires a lot of work. My dream is to finish fourth in the championship."

De Meo says Alpine is also busy recruiting new racing talent. As an Italian, he would love to see a compatriot from the Alpine programme make it to F1 and become a champion. De Meo sounds proud about the Italian influences in F1: "F1 is growing fast thanks to the efforts of another important Italian, Stefano Domenicali. Whether I am close to Ferrari? In the past, the rumours went. I look up to [Luca di] Montezemolo [former Ferrari chief], but I have never been in touch with Ferrari."